Page 91 of Knot The Only Onee
Noah clicked his tongue. "No putting yourself down, or you'll get a hot bottom, just like Lucas."
My lips curled up into a smile. "I swear, Noah, I'll be a good girl."
"I'm surrounded by brats." He shook his head.
"You love it." I smiled brightly, and Noah did the same.
"I do," he responded and kissed the tip of my nose. "And I love you."
CHAPTER43
Noah
Ifinished buttoning my shirt and looked over my shoulder to catch sight of Bridget standing at the bathroom counter brushing her hair. Her cheeks were still pink from our shower, and her eyes were bright and filled with mischief and love.
My heart sang as I regarded her. I meant what I said when I didn't deserve her. But I wouldn't let the opportunity pass me by.
She was ours for all eternity.
I sank onto the edge of the bed to put on a clean pair of socks.
"So, what's on the agenda for the rest of the day?" Bridget asked innocently, not knowing of the conversation I had earlier with Elias and Simon regarding Cedar Hills.
Fucking Mav. I had to get to the bottom of this and try and repair whatever remained of our relationship.
Bridget had helped me see so many things in a different light. One of those things was family and friends. Hindsight being twenty-twenty, I looked back on the falling out with Mav, and there was something rotten about the whole situation.
As if he were faking his inflated ego to push James and me away. Or he was pissed off at something we did. Although I had no idea what that would have been.
"Noah?" Bridget asked as she padded toward me on bare feet. Her brow furrowed, and concern reflected in her blue depths. "Did you hear my question?"
I sighed and ran a hand through my wet hair. "I need to go over to the ranch next door and see if I can get to the bottom of this nonsense with the fences. Our little shitty feud has gone on long enough. It's time to be adults."
Bridget sank down next to me and grasped my hand. She laced our fingers together as she leaned toward me to rest her head on my shoulder. "Do you want me to go too? Maybe an omega will help calm them down."
I snorted. "I get what you're saying, baby girl. I do, but I don't want you anywhere near Maverick or his brothers." I sighed and kissed her forehead. "Simon and Elias said they'd go with James and me. I think that's a good crew."
She nodded. "It is. But I'm here if you need me."
My arm snaked around her waist. "I need you to stay here and stay safe. Spend some time with Alena while she's here. We can take care of Cedar Hills."
* * *
Several hours later, I hopped into the driver's seat as James, Simon, and Elias piled into the other seats around me. After I started the car and got the heat going, I drummed my hands on the steering wheel as excess energy rolled through my body. Shower time with Bridget had reenergized me, but I was restless going to Cedar Hills for the first time since my mom passed away.
But it was past time I bit the bullet and went to see Mav.
Once everyone buckled their seatbelts, I took off down our dirt driveway.
As we pulled away, I regretted not having Bridget come with us. She was a calming influence on James and me, but I knew if she came, then basically the entire clan with both packs would come too. That would be too much. As it was, I feared Mav getting defensive with the four of us coming.
Fuck. How had it gotten to this point? Mav had been my best friend before I met James. Then, he just fit into our fold.
My thoughts spun out of control as I drove on autopilot toward Cedar Hills. This had disaster written all over it. I don't know what I hoped to accomplish, but I wasn't sure this was the way to do it.
I pulled down the familiar yet different drive and parked in front of the house. It had seen better days, the paint peeling and the front porch looking worse for wear.
How far both of us had come. Our houses were falling into disrepair. Both of us lost our parents.
